5 - 2 setter, I don't give a fuck who it conflicts with, everyone else can fuck off (only for 1 band)
4 - 2 setter, no matter what (unless conflicts with other 4's happen) - similar to '2'
3 - 1 set for sure, second one more than likely but depends on overlapping - similar to '1/2'
2 - 1 set for sure, second one if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '1'
1 - 1 set only if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '0/1'
0 - 0 sets, not interested at all

5 - 2 setter, I don't give a fuck who it conflicts with, everyone else can fuck off (only for 1 band)
4 - 2 setter, no matter what (unless conflicts with other 4's happen) - similar to '2'
3 - 1 set for sure, second one more than likely but depends on overlapping - similar to '1/2'
2 - 1 set for sure, second one if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '1'
1 - 1 set only if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '0/1'
0 - 0 sets, not interested at all

So one 2 setter for sure (NeO). One possible 2 setter (Soulfly/Roots), a few one-setters (Dark Funeral/Nile/Obituary), and a lot of time wandering around. This doesn't sound too bad actually. I'm just not paying thousands for bands I've seen a half-dozen times already. If these are your "shit your pants" announcements, please keep 'em coming, Andy. I'm sure someone may have shit their pants, but I'm not impressed.

Now that I've stirred the hornet's nest a little... here comes Theatre of Tragedy reunion, or a Triptykon (Celtic Frost set) announcement.

5 - 2 setter, I don't give a fuck who it conflicts with, everyone else can fuck off (only for 1 band)
4 - 2 setter, no matter what (unless conflicts with other 4's happen) - similar to '2'
3 - 1 set for sure, second one more than likely but depends on overlapping - similar to '1/2'
2 - 1 set for sure, second one if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '1'
1 - 1 set only if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '0/1'
0 - 0 sets, not interested at all

International Wishlist:-Accept-/-Amberian.Dawn-/-Amon.Amarth-/-Ancient.Bards-/-And.Then.She.Came-/-Arch.Enemy-/-Аркона-/-Avantasia-/-Battle.Beast-/-Battlelore-/-Beyond.the.Bridge-/-Blind.Guardian-/-Brothers.of.Metal-/-Dalriada-/-Dark.Sarah-/-Delain-/-Demons&Wizards-/-Diabulus.in.Musica-/-Die.Apocalyptischen.Reiter-/-Doro-/-Draconian-/-Dragonforce-/-Dragony-/-Dream.Theater-/-Eisbrecher-/-Eluveitie-/-Elvenking-/-Ensiferum-/-Equilibrium-/-Evenoire-/-Ex.Libris-/-Fejd-/-Finsterforst-/-Freedom.Call-/-Fylgja-/-Gloryhammer-/-Грай-/-Grailknights-/-Hammerfall-/-Heavatar-/-Heidevolk-/-Heldmaschine-/-Helloween-/-Ignea-/-Jaded.Star-/-Калевала-/-Kalmah-/-Korpiklaani-/-Lacuna.Coil-/-Magistina.Saga-/-MaYaN-/-Megaherz-/-Metsatöll-/-Moonspell-/-Månegarm-/-Невидь-/-Nightmare-/-Nightwish-/-Nine.Treasures-/-November-7-/-OOMPH!-/-Orden.Ogan-/-Powerwolf-/-Queensrÿche-/-Rage-/-Ragnaröek-/-Raubtier-/-Rhapsody.(any.edition)-/-Running.Wild-/-Sabaton-/-Saltatio.Mortis-/-Schwarzer.Engel-/-Serenity-/-Seven.Kingdoms-/-Seven.Spires-/-Skálmöld-/-Sleeping.Romance-/-Смута-/-Sonata.Arctica-/-Stahlmann-/-Subway.to.Sally-/-SuidAkrA-/-Svartsot-/-Symphony.X-/-Tarja-/-The.Privateer-/-Turisas-/-Twilight.Force-/-Týr-/-U.D.O.-/-Van.Canto-/-Vanden.Plas-/-Varg-/-Vika-/-Visions.of.Atlantis-/-Vogelfrey-/-Volbeat-/-VUUR-/-White.Shadow-/-Winterstorm-/-Within.Temptation-/-Xandria-

5 - 2 setter, I don't give a fuck who it conflicts with, everyone else can fuck off (only for 1 band)
4 - 2 setter, no matter what (unless conflicts with other 4's happen) - similar to '2'
3 - 1 set for sure, second one more than likely but depends on overlapping - similar to '1/2'
2 - 1 set for sure, second one if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '1'
1 - 1 set only if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '0/1'
0 - 0 sets, not interested at all

5 - 2 setter, I don't give a fuck who it conflicts with, everyone else can fuck off (only for 1 band)
4 - 2 setter, no matter what (unless conflicts with other 4's happen) - similar to '2'
3 - 1 set for sure, second one more than likely but depends on overlapping - similar to '1/2'
2 - 1 set for sure, second one if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '1'
1 - 1 set only if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '0/1'
0 - 0 sets, not interested at all

5 - 2 setter, I don't give a fuck who it conflicts with, everyone else can fuck off (only for 1 band)
4 - 2 setter, no matter what (unless conflicts with other 4's happen) - similar to '2'
3 - 1 set for sure, second one more than likely but depends on overlapping - similar to '1/2'
2 - 1 set for sure, second one if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '1'
1 - 1 set only if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '0/1'
0 - 0 sets, not interested at all

5 - 2 setter, I don't give a fuck who it conflicts with, everyone else can fuck off (only for 1 band)
4 - 2 setter, no matter what (unless conflicts with other 4's happen) - similar to '2'
3 - 1 set for sure, second one more than likely but depends on overlapping - similar to '1/2'
2 - 1 set for sure, second one if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '1'
1 - 1 set only if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '0/1'
0 - 0 sets, not interested at all

5 - 2 setter, I don't give a fuck who it conflicts with, everyone else can fuck off (only for 1 band)
4 - 2 setter, no matter what (unless conflicts with other 4's happen) - similar to '2'
3 - 1 set for sure, second one more than likely but depends on overlapping - similar to '1/2'
2 - 1 set for sure, second one if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '1'
1 - 1 set only if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '0/1'
0 - 0 sets, not interested at all

International Wishlist:-Accept-/-Amberian.Dawn-/-Amon.Amarth-/-Ancient.Bards-/-And.Then.She.Came-/-Arch.Enemy-/-Аркона-/-Avantasia-/-Battle.Beast-/-Battlelore-/-Beyond.the.Bridge-/-Blind.Guardian-/-Brothers.of.Metal-/-Dalriada-/-Dark.Sarah-/-Delain-/-Demons&Wizards-/-Diabulus.in.Musica-/-Die.Apocalyptischen.Reiter-/-Doro-/-Draconian-/-Dragonforce-/-Dragony-/-Dream.Theater-/-Eisbrecher-/-Eluveitie-/-Elvenking-/-Ensiferum-/-Equilibrium-/-Evenoire-/-Ex.Libris-/-Fejd-/-Finsterforst-/-Freedom.Call-/-Fylgja-/-Gloryhammer-/-Грай-/-Grailknights-/-Hammerfall-/-Heavatar-/-Heidevolk-/-Heldmaschine-/-Helloween-/-Ignea-/-Jaded.Star-/-Калевала-/-Kalmah-/-Korpiklaani-/-Lacuna.Coil-/-Magistina.Saga-/-MaYaN-/-Megaherz-/-Metsatöll-/-Moonspell-/-Månegarm-/-Невидь-/-Nightmare-/-Nightwish-/-Nine.Treasures-/-November-7-/-OOMPH!-/-Orden.Ogan-/-Powerwolf-/-Queensrÿche-/-Rage-/-Ragnaröek-/-Raubtier-/-Rhapsody.(any.edition)-/-Running.Wild-/-Sabaton-/-Saltatio.Mortis-/-Schwarzer.Engel-/-Serenity-/-Seven.Kingdoms-/-Seven.Spires-/-Skálmöld-/-Sleeping.Romance-/-Смута-/-Sonata.Arctica-/-Stahlmann-/-Subway.to.Sally-/-SuidAkrA-/-Svartsot-/-Symphony.X-/-Tarja-/-The.Privateer-/-Turisas-/-Twilight.Force-/-Týr-/-U.D.O.-/-Van.Canto-/-Vanden.Plas-/-Varg-/-Vika-/-Visions.of.Atlantis-/-Vogelfrey-/-Volbeat-/-VUUR-/-White.Shadow-/-Winterstorm-/-Within.Temptation-/-Xandria-

5 - 2 setter, I don't give a fuck who it conflicts with, everyone else can fuck off (only for 1 band)
4 - 2 setter, no matter what (unless conflicts with other 4's happen) - similar to '2'
3 - 1 set for sure, second one more than likely but depends on overlapping - similar to '1/2'
2 - 1 set for sure, second one if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '1'
1 - 1 set only if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '0/1'
0 - 0 sets, not interested at all

Had a feeling that this was a REALLY strong first half for me compared to 2018, and 2018 ended up ridiculously good for me so thought I would do a comparison.

At the 33 band mark, my ratings out of 10 for the 2018 lineup at that point was 126 out of 330, finishing with 243 out of 610. Had some big adds in the last 28 like Battle Beast(!!), Threshold, Amberian Dawn, Sirenia, Witherfall, Triosphere, Leaves Eyes, Evertale(!!!!) and Seven Kingdoms.

If the remaining bands for 2019 are anything like 2018 I'm gonna have some tough choices to make!

International Wishlist:-Accept-/-Amberian.Dawn-/-Amon.Amarth-/-Ancient.Bards-/-And.Then.She.Came-/-Arch.Enemy-/-Аркона-/-Avantasia-/-Battle.Beast-/-Battlelore-/-Beyond.the.Bridge-/-Blind.Guardian-/-Brothers.of.Metal-/-Dalriada-/-Dark.Sarah-/-Delain-/-Demons&Wizards-/-Diabulus.in.Musica-/-Die.Apocalyptischen.Reiter-/-Doro-/-Draconian-/-Dragonforce-/-Dragony-/-Dream.Theater-/-Eisbrecher-/-Eluveitie-/-Elvenking-/-Ensiferum-/-Equilibrium-/-Evenoire-/-Ex.Libris-/-Fejd-/-Finsterforst-/-Freedom.Call-/-Fylgja-/-Gloryhammer-/-Грай-/-Grailknights-/-Hammerfall-/-Heavatar-/-Heidevolk-/-Heldmaschine-/-Helloween-/-Ignea-/-Jaded.Star-/-Калевала-/-Kalmah-/-Korpiklaani-/-Lacuna.Coil-/-Magistina.Saga-/-MaYaN-/-Megaherz-/-Metsatöll-/-Moonspell-/-Månegarm-/-Невидь-/-Nightmare-/-Nightwish-/-Nine.Treasures-/-November-7-/-OOMPH!-/-Orden.Ogan-/-Powerwolf-/-Queensrÿche-/-Rage-/-Ragnaröek-/-Raubtier-/-Rhapsody.(any.edition)-/-Running.Wild-/-Sabaton-/-Saltatio.Mortis-/-Schwarzer.Engel-/-Serenity-/-Seven.Kingdoms-/-Seven.Spires-/-Skálmöld-/-Sleeping.Romance-/-Смута-/-Sonata.Arctica-/-Stahlmann-/-Subway.to.Sally-/-SuidAkrA-/-Svartsot-/-Symphony.X-/-Tarja-/-The.Privateer-/-Turisas-/-Twilight.Force-/-Týr-/-U.D.O.-/-Van.Canto-/-Vanden.Plas-/-Varg-/-Vika-/-Visions.of.Atlantis-/-Vogelfrey-/-Volbeat-/-VUUR-/-White.Shadow-/-Winterstorm-/-Within.Temptation-/-Xandria-

5 - 2 setter, I don't give a fuck who it conflicts with, everyone else can fuck off (only for 1 band)
4 - 2 setter, no matter what (unless conflicts with other 4's happen) - similar to '2'
3 - 1 set for sure, second one more than likely but depends on overlapping - similar to '1/2'
2 - 1 set for sure, second one if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '1'
1 - 1 set only if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '0/1'
0 - 0 sets, not interested at all

5 - 2 setter, I don't give a fuck who it conflicts with, everyone else can fuck off (only for 1 band)
4 - 2 setter, no matter what (unless conflicts with other 4's happen) - similar to '2'
3 - 1 set for sure, second one more than likely but depends on overlapping - similar to '1/2'
2 - 1 set for sure, second one if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '1'
1 - 1 set only if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '0/1'
0 - 0 sets, not interested at all

5 - 2 setter, I don't give a fuck who it conflicts with, everyone else can fuck off (only for 1 band)
4 - 2 setter, no matter what (unless conflicts with other 4's happen) - similar to '2'
3 - 1 set for sure, second one more than likely but depends on overlapping - similar to '1/2'
2 - 1 set for sure, second one if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '1'
1 - 1 set only if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '0/1'
0 - 0 sets, not interested at all

5 - 2 setter, I don't give a fuck who it conflicts with, everyone else can fuck off (only for 1 band)
4 - 2 setter, no matter what (unless conflicts with other 4's happen) - similar to '2'
3 - 1 set for sure, second one more than likely but depends on overlapping - similar to '1/2'
2 - 1 set for sure, second one if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '1'
1 - 1 set only if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '0/1'
0 - 0 sets, not interested at all

5 - 2 setter, I don't give a fuck who it conflicts with, everyone else can fuck off (only for 1 band)
4 - 2 setter, no matter what (unless conflicts with other 4's happen) - similar to '2'
3 - 1 set for sure, second one more than likely but depends on overlapping - similar to '1/2'
2 - 1 set for sure, second one if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '1'
1 - 1 set only if nothing else interesting is happening - similar to '0/1'
0 - 0 sets, not interested at all

International Wishlist:-Accept-/-Amberian.Dawn-/-Amon.Amarth-/-Ancient.Bards-/-And.Then.She.Came-/-Arch.Enemy-/-Аркона-/-Avantasia-/-Battle.Beast-/-Battlelore-/-Beyond.the.Bridge-/-Blind.Guardian-/-Brothers.of.Metal-/-Dalriada-/-Dark.Sarah-/-Delain-/-Demons&Wizards-/-Diabulus.in.Musica-/-Die.Apocalyptischen.Reiter-/-Doro-/-Draconian-/-Dragonforce-/-Dragony-/-Dream.Theater-/-Eisbrecher-/-Eluveitie-/-Elvenking-/-Ensiferum-/-Equilibrium-/-Evenoire-/-Ex.Libris-/-Fejd-/-Finsterforst-/-Freedom.Call-/-Fylgja-/-Gloryhammer-/-Грай-/-Grailknights-/-Hammerfall-/-Heavatar-/-Heidevolk-/-Heldmaschine-/-Helloween-/-Ignea-/-Jaded.Star-/-Калевала-/-Kalmah-/-Korpiklaani-/-Lacuna.Coil-/-Magistina.Saga-/-MaYaN-/-Megaherz-/-Metsatöll-/-Moonspell-/-Månegarm-/-Невидь-/-Nightmare-/-Nightwish-/-Nine.Treasures-/-November-7-/-OOMPH!-/-Orden.Ogan-/-Powerwolf-/-Queensrÿche-/-Rage-/-Ragnaröek-/-Raubtier-/-Rhapsody.(any.edition)-/-Running.Wild-/-Sabaton-/-Saltatio.Mortis-/-Schwarzer.Engel-/-Serenity-/-Seven.Kingdoms-/-Seven.Spires-/-Skálmöld-/-Sleeping.Romance-/-Смута-/-Sonata.Arctica-/-Stahlmann-/-Subway.to.Sally-/-SuidAkrA-/-Svartsot-/-Symphony.X-/-Tarja-/-The.Privateer-/-Turisas-/-Twilight.Force-/-Týr-/-U.D.O.-/-Van.Canto-/-Vanden.Plas-/-Varg-/-Vika-/-Visions.of.Atlantis-/-Vogelfrey-/-Volbeat-/-VUUR-/-White.Shadow-/-Winterstorm-/-Within.Temptation-/-Xandria-